GRAPE VINE
Rally to Denounce Democracy Party orchestrated by Authorities
Source : The Rangoon Post
Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 8th July
Dear listeners. It has been learned that Maj-Gen Sit Maung [commander of Coastal Region Command and chairman of Tenasserim Division Peace and Development Council] arrived in Kawthaung in Tenasserim Division on 4th July and held talks on matters relating to the dissolution of the NLD [National League for Democracy], prevention of subversive activities, and prevention of drug abuse control and illicit trafficking. DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] correspondent Myint Maung Maung filed this report.
[Myint Maung Maung] The meeting was held at 1300 [local time] on 4th July. At the meeting, Maj-Gen Sit Maung gave detailed instructions to acquire obligatory service from private coastal passenger vessels and road transport enterprise vehicles to transport villagers from along the coast and villages respectively so that the attendance at the rally to be held in Kawthaung to denounce the NLD would exceed the target of over 10,000 people.
He also urged regional security officials to coordinate and work closely with ward administrative personnel and Kyant Phut [derogatory term for Union Solidarity and Development Association] members and form watchdog groups to monitor monasteries, schools and Kawthaung-Ranong [Thailand] border crossings in order to prevent anti-government subversive activities in Kawthaung District.
Furthermore, illicit drug trafficking activities have been rising in Tenessarim Division since late 1999 in inland border areas as well as offshore. Up to June this year in Kawthaung Township the police have arrested people involved in 11 drug-related cases; the army, three cases; the navy, one case; and seven cases were by tip-offs from locals. At the meeting, Maj-Gen Sit Maung reportedly said the increase rather than decrease in drug trafficking shows lack of responsibility on the part of responsible personnel.